Hypoglycemia: Recognizing Low Blood Sugar and Ways to Manage It

Every single cell of our body needs energy to function, and this is where glucose comes into play! Glucose is the source of energy that keeps our cells working, and as a result, all organs can operate as they are meant to. The hormone insulin helps the cells absorb and use glucose, however, when you have low amounts of glucose in your blood levels, the condition is called hypoglycemia.  

Low blood sugar levels can induce fatigue, tremors, and a variety of other symptoms that can even be life-threatening in extreme circumstances! There are various potential reasons for hypoglycemia, and it can result in a variety of situations, so let’s take an in-depth look at this problematic condition and how you can effectively manage it. 

What is Hypoglycemia? 

Glucose (sugar) is your body's primary source of energy and is mostly derived from the carbs found in foods and beverages that you consume. Your blood transports glucose to all of your body's cells as well as to your brain to keep the biological systems functioning! Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, is the most important contributor to maintaining normal blood sugar levels, and if you do not have diabetes, your body's natural mechanisms assist keep your blood glucose levels within a safe range.  

However, people with diabetes must utilize medicine, such as oral diabetic drugs or synthetic insulin, as well as lifestyle adjustments, to keep their blood sugar levels under control. Hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar or low blood glucose, occurs when the level of sugar in your blood falls below what is considered normal for you. Hypoglycemia is frequent in diabetics, particularly those with Type 1 diabetes, and occurs when blood sugar levels fall below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).  

Hypoglycemia can occur without diabetes, however, it is unusual, but for most persons without diabetes, hypoglycemia is identified when blood sugar levels fall below 55 mg/dL. According to one study, four out of every five patients with Type 1 diabetes and almost half of all people with Type 2 diabetes who use insulin experience a low blood sugar episode at least once a month. If you start experiencing low sugar symptoms, you should eat or drink sugar or carbs right away to increase the blood sugar levels because severe hypoglycemia is potentially fatal and necessitates immediate medical attention.  

What are the Causes of Hypoglycemia?  

People may experience hypoglycemia for various reasons, and they differ based on whether the person is diabetic or not! These are the common causes of hypoglycemia in non-diabetics:  

• Medications - Quinine, a malaria-prevention medication, can cause hypoglycemia, and high doses of salicylates, which are used to treat rheumatic illness, or propranolol for high blood pressure, might also cause blood sugar levels to plummet.   
• Not eating a sufficient amount of food - Fasting or skipping meals for extreme dieting can cause low blood sugar levels, and not consuming enough carbs might also cause blood sugar to drop. 
• Excessive alcohol consumption - Drinking too much alcohol might cause the liver to cease releasing stored glucose into the circulation and cause hypoglycemia. 
• Liver diseases - Hepatitis can cause hypoglycemia because it damages the liver. 
• Pancreas problems - Reactive hypoglycemia, also known as postprandial hypoglycemia, occurs when the pancreas generates excessive insulin following a meal. Certain disorders, such as cancer, can also affect many organs, including the pancreas, which can cause hypoglycemia. 
• Insulinoma - A tumor in the pancreas can cause the pancreas to generate excessive insulin, which will lower blood sugar levels. 
• Tumors - In rare cases, a tumor in certain body parts can induce hypoglycemia. 
• Kidney disorders - People with renal diseases may have difficulty excreting drugs, and that can cause blood sugar levels to drop. 
• Endocrine issues - Certain adrenal and pituitary gland abnormalities can cause hypoglycemia, however, this is more prevalent in children than in adults.   

Causes of hypoglycemia in diabetic patients:  

People with diabetes may experience hypoglycemia due to a variety of causes, but anytime their diet, activity levels, and diabetes medicines are out of balance, the chances of hypoglycemia increase. 

• Increasing physical activity suddenly can reduce blood sugar levels for a while, particularly in those with type 1 diabetes. 
• Diabetes patients may have hypoglycemia due to taking too much insulin, using the wrong insulin, or injecting the insulin into muscle tissue instead of fat tissue. 
• Incorrect timing of taking insulin and carb consumption (for example, waiting too long for a meal after taking insulin) can cause this problem.   

What are the Common Hypoglycemia Symptoms?  

The most common hypoglycemia symptoms include:  

• Sweating and shaking  
• Headache 
• Looking pale 
• An uneven or rapid pulse  
• Fatigue and difficulty focusing 
• Nausea  
• Dizziness or lightheadedness 
• Loss of coordination 
• Irritation or anxiousness  
• Tingling or numbness on the lips, tongue, or face 

As hypoglycemia progresses, symptoms may include slurred speech, confusion, and blurred or tunnel vision, and severe hypoglycemia may result in unresponsiveness (loss of awareness) and seizures.  

You need to seek medical attention promptly if you have hypoglycemic symptoms and do not have diabetes! For diabetics, seek emergency medical attention if the person exhibits signs of severe hypoglycemia or loses consciousness.  

Hypoglycemia Treatment 

Here are the most effective and common hypoglycemia treatments that are widely used: 

• Consuming Sugar
  A person experiencing hypoglycemia should ingest at least twenty grams of glucose, such as a glucose pill, sugar lumps, or a glass of fruit juice. They should then check their blood sugar levels after fifteen minutes, consume more glucose, and repeat this process until their blood sugar levels return to normal! People with underlying conditions need to contact their doctor at this stage and follow their advice on what to do next.
  
  
• Following a Specific Diet Plan
  People with hypoglycemia or diabetes can work with a healthcare professional or dietician to develop a diet plan that will keep their condition in control! Common tips might include eating snacks and small meals every three to four hours, incorporating protein, high-fat, and high-fiber foods in their diet, and limiting high-sugar meals.  

Hypoglycemia Treatment for Severe Symptoms  

If the individual's symptoms are severe and they are unable to treat themselves, someone else will need to administer glucagon via injection or help them eat sugary items. After this process, people normally regain control within 5-10 minutes, however, they may also feel nausea or start vomiting.  

If the individual loses consciousness, someone must place them in the recovery posture and deliver a glucagon injection, but remember, sugary drinks should not be placed in the mouth of an unconscious individual since they may clog the airways. Immediately asking for emergency medical assistance is a necessity in this situation!   

Final Remarks  

Hypoglycemia is a worrying condition since, in severe cases, the person can become unconscious and need emergency treatment! If you are a diabetic, the chances are your doctor has already informed you about hypoglycemia and how to take precautions, however, for non-diabetics, suddenly experiencing hypoglycemia symptoms can be terrifying. The only way to determine whether you have hypoglycemia is to test your blood sugar levels, and this can be done with a blood glucose meter (glucometer) or through a lab test of your blood.  

To get a blood test to identify hypoglycemia, contact Pathkind Labs today! Expert phlebotomists of the lab will collect your blood and test it for hypoglycemia in NABL certified labs to provide 100% accurate test results with a quick turnaround time!